Jonathan commissions bullet-proof vest factory, APCs
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- Category: National Security
- Published on Tuesday, 03 July 2012 12:33
- Written by Admin
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President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday commissioned some Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) locally constructed by the Nigerian Army Engineering Corps as well as the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) bullet proof vest production factory.
The commissioning of the army APC, which took place at the Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna, was part of the activities marking the 2012 Nigerian Army Day Celebrations (NADCEL).
According to him, the two projects marked the beginning of the end of the country's total reliance on foreign suppliers for the country's security needs.
Jonathan noted that the landmark event further signalled that the "nation's military establishment has effectively keyed into the Federal Government's Local Content Policy which is aimed at building indigenous capacity in the petroleum and other sectors of the national economy."
He., therefore, restated his administration's commitment "to creating the requisite enabling environment for local manufacturing industries to grow, become major employers of labour and progressively become globally competitive." Jonathan also recalled the Nigerian Navy's locally-designed and constructed Seaward Defence Boat which he commissioned about a month ago in Lagos.
He, therefore, commended the Public Private Partnership (PPP) between DICON and MAROM-DOLPHIN Nigeria Limited which resulted in the domestic production of the bullet proof vests and other textile wares for the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies in the country. While urging Nigerians to show patriotism by buying DICON products, Jonathan indicated that a directive would soon be issued to compel all Federal agencies to patronise DICON unless they can prove convincingly that such products are not available locally.
"That is the only way we can move as a nation," he said, while calling on other foreign investors to emulate MAROM-DOLPHIN.
Jonathan accompanied by the governors of Kaduna and Bayelsa states, ministers, members of the National Assembly and the Chief of Defence Staff, among other top government officials, also inspected weapons made by DICON-MAROM. DICON was established by an Act of Parliament in 1964 to primarily "produce small arms and ammunitions for the use of the Nigerian Army, paramilitary and security agencies in the country."
According to Army Director of Public Relations, Brig Gen. Bola Koleoso, the NADCEL is an important event in the calendar of the army during which it showcases its history, values and achievement as well as projecting ahead of the succeeding year.
Other activities for the celebration include lecture, firepower display, novelty match by NAOWA, free medical service, visit to Orphanage Homes.
